HDB Living In Singapore Defines National Identity
The HDB heartland is where many Singaporeans live, work, learn and play. It is a common experience that binds Singaporeans together, said SMS Grace Fu at the launch of the HDB exhibition, ‘Storeys of Our Homes’.
Speech by Ms. Grace Fu, Senior Minister of State for National Development and Education at the launch of HDB’s 50th Anniversary exhibition, 30 JAN 2010 at the HDB Hub Mall
My fellow parliamentarians
HDB colleagues
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Good Morning.
I’m happy to be here this evening at the launch of the HDB exhibition, “Storeys of Our Homes”.
Held in conjunction with HDB’s 50th Anniversary, this exhibition marks a half century of accomplishment in public housing. HDB’s story of success in housing a nation is linked inextricably to the lives of many Singaporeans – myself included. HDB living is indeed a uniquely Singaporean experience that shapes our national identity.
Relying on video archives, digital albums, and an interactive atlas, this exhibition brings to life the sights and sounds of defining moments in HDB’s journey over the past five decades. It offers a fascinating sensory treat, by transporting us on a ride through HDB’s past, present and future. Witness the 1961 Bukit Ho Swee fire, and learn how HDB responded to the crisis. Hear the roar of bulldozers as they cleared forest land to make way for new towns, including Toa Payoh, Ang Mo Kio and Bedok. See vistas of modern HDB flats and communities, and glimpse exciting visuals of what the future holds. From the slums of yesterday to the sturdy tower blocks of today, HDB has transformed our physical landscape. It has also created many new communities, and shaped our lives.
The Story of HDB
Many of us are familiar with the HDB Story. Today, more than eight out of 10 Singaporeans live in HDB flats. And of this group, more than nine in 10 own the flat they live in. HDB estates form the backdrop of everyday living. From its origins in 1960 to today, HDB encapsulates an important aspect of our country’s history, and our people’s collective memories.
HDB has worked hard over the past 50 years to provide more than just a shelter over one’s head. Housing options have expanded to meet the changing aspirations of a more affluent generation. New HDB flats come with quality designs and facilities, while older blocks are given a fresh, new look through various rejuvenation programmes. More than just a shelter, HDB flats are comfortable homes for Singaporeans to raise families and forge lasting ties.
By creating space and facilities for residents’ interaction, HDB also facilitates the growth of lively and cohesive communities. Moving ahead, it is working tirelessly to promote sustainable development, and has introduced eco-friendly initiatives such as vertical greening and green roofs. It is also developing its first eco-precinct, The Treelodge@Punggol, and will continue efforts to make our country one of the most liveable cities in Asia. These exciting efforts can all be viewed in the exhibits on display here.
Story of the Heartland
Spanning 50 years, the HDB story covers many dimensions. But just like any good story, HDB’s success in housing the nation has an intimate and heart-warming theme – the story of the HDB heartland, where many Singaporeans live, work, learn, and play.
Many of you who have grown up in HDB estates would recall similar experiences and memories. We remember the sights and sounds of our first HDB flat – the laughter of the children in the playground, the colours of the neighbourhood provision shop, the neat row of trees shading our path to the bus stop, the friendly neighbours and familiar faces we see at the void deck. These are the impressions which we share. These are the elements of the HDB experience, which have defined life in Singapore’s heartlands.
We have also sought to replicate in HDB estates the kampong spirit shared by neighbours in the early days. Communal spaces for gathering have been created. Apart from promoting neighbourliness, HDB has engaged residents in dialogues, organised welcome parties to integrate new residents, and designed integrated developments to achieve a better resident mix and to promote social interaction.
Revamped HDB InfoWEB
How else is HDB reaching out? On this happy occasion, HDB has commissioned a commemorative coin to celebrate 50 years of public housing. It is also launching a revamped HDB InfoWEB portal, which comes with a fresh new design and engaging features. The HDB InfoWEB currently attracts average monthly page views of 17 million. With the revamp, HDB will be able to meet the higher expectations of the public. This is important, as more people are turning online for information and services. Both the content and presentation are even more user-friendly, with the InfoWEB providing easy access to a wide range of information and services.
Conclusion
In conclusion, public housing in Singapore has come a long way, becoming a quintessential part of the Singapore identity. HDB has successfully housed a nation, and continues on an important mission to provide affordable quality homes, and to create vibrant and sustainable towns and communities. HDB’s journey over the past 50 years mirrors this nation’s transition from third world to first.
I hope that the exhibits will invoke memories of the different phases of your past and present. But beyond that, I hope you will become excited about the future, about the new possibilities and new opportunities ahead for public housing. You may wish also to pen your wishes for HDB, and your hopes for the future on the exhibition Congratulatory Wall.
And with that, I am happy to declare the exhibition open. Thank you, and have a pleasant evening.
Topics: affordable homes, affordable quality homes, airports, clean, climate change, demographic shifts, development, eco town, Economy, environment, environmental sustainability, factories, financial crisis, flat owners, Governance, government, green, green areas, HDB, HDB flats, HDB Towns, high density buildings, homes, immigration, island, land scarcity, migration, news, open economy, open spaces, parks, population, power plants, public housing, Punggol, reservoirs, roads, shrinking resources, Singapore, Singapore Housing Development Board, social integration, Social sustainability, Sustainable Development Model, sustainable housing
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